 Electrical Air Filter | VS |  Boston Fern |
I have purchased many different types of air filters since the 1980s. I stopped buying them just after the turn into this century. Perhaps I was just buying a "bill of goods" just like Bottled Water is today, but some of the HEPA filters did help with my Hay-fever days. Then there was the cost to operate them... the electric bill, batteries, replacement filters. When winter enters the equation, we have the heat on and air circulation is cut dramatically due to closed doors and windows. Unlike AC units in the summertime that have filters, heating systems raise dust and do not filter. Yet, there is always another way, a better way.
About twenty plus years ago, at least three investigators with NASA and the Associated Landscape Contractors of America found that specific house plants were very good at expunging elements expelled by items such as: new rugs, building materials, furnishings, cleaning agents, paints, varnishes, cigarettes, fabrics, preserved foods and other airborne pollutants.
Everyday items found in every home and office contribute to indoor air contamination. So to improve air quality and add oxygen into your living and working spaces, adding certain types of plants will make a difference for the better.
We already know that plants take in carbon dioxide and substances from the surrounding air through openings in each leaf. These elements are pollutants to us, but are broken down by plants to become food through translocation to the roots of the plant. Below is a list of plants that work the best for cleaning indoor air. They are in alphabetical order:
About twenty plus years ago, at least three investigators with NASA and the Associated Landscape Contractors of America found that specific house plants were very good at expunging elements expelled by items such as: new rugs, building materials, furnishings, cleaning agents, paints, varnishes, cigarettes, fabrics, preserved foods and other airborne pollutants.
Everyday items found in every home and office contribute to indoor air contamination. So to improve air quality and add oxygen into your living and working spaces, adding certain types of plants will make a difference for the better.
We already know that plants take in carbon dioxide and substances from the surrounding air through openings in each leaf. These elements are pollutants to us, but are broken down by plants to become food through translocation to the roots of the plant. Below is a list of plants that work the best for cleaning indoor air. They are in alphabetical order:
Aloe Vera
Known For: Treatment for cuts, scraps and minor burns
Accomplish: Removes benzene and formaldehyde
Care: Sun, well drainage and don’t over water
Areca Palm:
Known For: Seven foot height, grow 7 inches per year
Accomplish: Absorbs formaldehyde, toluene, and xylene
Care: Indirect Sunlight, water and fertilizer
Bamboo Palm:
Known For: Loves the tropical amount of sunlight
Accomplish: Removes trichloroethylene toxins
Care: Water only when the soil is dry and never overwater
Boston Ferns:
Known For: Needs space to spread and grow its fronds
Accomplish: Removes formaldehyde and improves oxygen levels
Care: Water frequently, mist twice per week and add peat moss
Gerber Daisies:
Known For: A variety of bright colors and broad green leaves
Accomplish: Absorbs benzene, formaldehyde, and trichloroethylene
Care: Direct sunlight and moist soil
Peace Lilies:
Known For: Inability to tolerate cold, love warm and humid climates
Accomplish: Absorbs benzene and trichloroethylene
Care: Direct sunlight and moist soil that drains well
Snake Plant
Known For: Available in yellow, dark and light greens
Accomplish: Removes formaldehyde, benzene, toluene, xylene, and trichloroethylene
Care: Indirect sunlight and keep the soil dry
There are a few more plants that can help, nevertheless, using house plants in your home or office saves money while being Eco-friendly with cleaning out indoor air toxins.
Bill Lauto, at GoingTrueGreen.com
Environmental Scientist
International Sustainability and Energy Consultant
Contribute your comments!
Known For: Treatment for cuts, scraps and minor burns
Accomplish: Removes benzene and formaldehyde
Care: Sun, well drainage and don’t over water
Areca Palm:
Known For: Seven foot height, grow 7 inches per year
Accomplish: Absorbs formaldehyde, toluene, and xylene
Care: Indirect Sunlight, water and fertilizer
Bamboo Palm:
Known For: Loves the tropical amount of sunlight
Accomplish: Removes trichloroethylene toxins
Care: Water only when the soil is dry and never overwater
Boston Ferns:
Known For: Needs space to spread and grow its fronds
Accomplish: Removes formaldehyde and improves oxygen levels
Care: Water frequently, mist twice per week and add peat moss
Gerber Daisies:
Known For: A variety of bright colors and broad green leaves
Accomplish: Absorbs benzene, formaldehyde, and trichloroethylene
Care: Direct sunlight and moist soil
Peace Lilies:
Known For: Inability to tolerate cold, love warm and humid climates
Accomplish: Absorbs benzene and trichloroethylene
Care: Direct sunlight and moist soil that drains well
Snake Plant
Known For: Available in yellow, dark and light greens
Accomplish: Removes formaldehyde, benzene, toluene, xylene, and trichloroethylene
Care: Indirect sunlight and keep the soil dry
There are a few more plants that can help, nevertheless, using house plants in your home or office saves money while being Eco-friendly with cleaning out indoor air toxins.
Bill Lauto, at GoingTrueGreen.com
Environmental Scientist
International Sustainability and Energy Consultant
Contribute your comments!
